MEERUT, June 9 -- Nearly a month after the public works department (PWD) issued a notice instructing removal of encroachments for a road-widening project in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district, Muslims themselves razed parts of a dargah (mausoleum) that was located in the middle of a road hindering the project in Hayatnagar area of that district.

The mosque committee started the process on Sunday and it concluded on Monday. The committee also employed some labourers to expedite the work. Aqeel Ahmad, a member of the mosque committee, said, "The authorities informed us that the structure was obstructing the construction work. When the officials ask for it, we have no choice but to cooperate."

"We were waiting for Bakrid to get over. Now, we...